Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-21
DISSATISFIED KNIGHTS.
a coTERle OF "iNeoeNiTosv ISSUE
AN ADDRESS

In which They Declare That Reform II
Necessary-Points of New Constitution
suggested-Powderiy Endorsed in = Mas
sachusests neutrality-suspicious. Outlook In
the Coke sectfon-Labor Field Notes.
WASHINGTON CRY, July PA number OF
prominent and influential knights Of Labor
whose names can not be divulged at present
but who would be readily recognized in the
north and east as members In good standing
and among the most earnest and devoted ad
vocates of the labor cause, at recent CON
ference adopted an address to the members Of
the order wherever found, in which they dc
clare that the membership of the order is large
ly decreasing because of its departure from its
fundamental principles; that the failure Of ths
Minneapolis general assembly to re-establist
these principles will result in still further i'm
pairrnent, If not destruction, of the usefulness
Of the order; protest against the arbitrary
methods" by which the constitution has beer
altered and tendency to oligarehic rule e.
tablished and claim that the order was Is
tablished TO put down monopoly, and bring
the national government back TO the rule Of
the majority The address then appeals t.
the members to instruct their delegates tc
the general assembly to organize under the
old constitution, and TO take steps to submit
to the members of the order, in such a manner
as to satisfy all that constitutional majority
| of the members voting have accepted or re-
jected each clause. a constitution embodyipe
| the following:
;t.
indicates, the means of executing the will of III,
order to collect tabulate and publish reports ant
statistics, and the addresses of local and othel
officers and decisions of courts affecting the vho'
order but not 10 have power To suspend am
member Of assembly of the order, but only I.
prefer charges before CnITt to be provided tOl
| that purpose hs tl,t cons tuition.
The members ct the executive hoard and FL
officers TO be amenable to trial by court Of dis
interested local dis or state assembly or by
special court
To prevent any officer or mernber from in
| fiictiug his views opnions on any subject what
ever upon the order except by having them frs
adopted by a local district state assembly, and
| then published as the opinions Of such assembly
| and not of the member
TOprovide for the retention. under prope
safeguards in the local or district assemblies o
| all money not needed for the absolutely u-cessa
~ expenses of the general officers and their as
sistants
5 To recognize the right of self government
with voluntary, and not coerced, cooperation be
| tween the different organizations
6. To provide for appeals TO the vote of tn
whole order on matters Of general interest Or af
| fecting the constitution, and IN provide in IN,
| same manner for amendments 70 the constitu
| ton
| Z To require itemged statements OF receipt,
and expenditures with vouchers TO he submitted
ny all executive officers or committees at leaS
| once quarter. that receipts may he verife,
and expenditures scrurnized by those who's,
| money has been contributed
~ln short, we ask as the only assurance o.
the continuance of the order, that the princi
pie of the people ruling and our representa-
| tives serving with strict accountability IL
| recognized; anything else means centraliza
| ton of power, which is of the essence of mon
archy, aristocracy and monopoly. and con
| trary to the ends and aims of the order which
was constituted TO combat such tendencies
A house divided among itself can not stand
He that would be greatest among us let hin
serve, and not attempt to rule -
| Some of the most prominent members o
several of the largest assemblies are identifiel
with the address. and according to informa
| ton gathered by the United Press on tn,
subject, the document bids fair to create
great deal of interest in Knights of Labo
| circles throughout the entire country.